MSP responds to new police office counter plans

New proposals over police office counter closures have been described as “small concessions” by a North-east Liberal Democrat.

The party’s Scottish justice spokesperson Alison McInnes was responding to a report by the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Sir Stephen House, to the Scottish Police Authority last week.

The document revealed that a total 804 responses were received to the online consultation on controversial plans to close 65 police counters across Scotland, with proposals to reduce the opening hours of many more.

The report puts forward proposals including extending opening hours at Banchory, while others which had been under threat are now set to remain open.

The proposals have been supported by Police Scotland senior management and will be notified to staff and consulted on as agreed in principle.

North East MSP Ms McInnes said: “These proposals are small concessions. It remains the case that 62 stations across Scotland will close their doors to the public.

“Thousands of hours of front desk provision will be lost across many communities.

“These latest proposals will still see the loss of 52 hours a week of front desk provision.”